The invitation came in gold foil.
Elegant. Discreet. Irresistible.
You are formally invited to the Global Actor's Guild Summit in Singapore.
Closed-door gathering. Top 1% of industry power players. Attendance by invitation only.
Lina held the envelope like it might burn her fingers. This wasn't just a step forward—it was a leap over dozens of other stars clawing their way toward the light.
[System Notification: Global Milestone Event Triggered – Actor's Guild Summit]
[Main Objective: Maintain Position Among Elites]
[Bonus Objective: Investigate Rising Threat Lead]
[Reward: Influence Tier: Elite Circle | Networking Expansion | System Alert Precision Upgrade]
[AI Companion: You're walking into the lion's den. Don't dress like meat.]
She arrived in Singapore wrapped in emerald silk and quiet confidence. The red carpet didn't faze her. The cameras didn't steal her. She had become both weapon and armor.
Caden didn't attend.
But his presence was still around her—messages from his team, gifts left in her suite, and that instinctive certainty: he was watching. And waiting.
The Guild's private reception was held in a tower suite above the city.
That's where she met Lirae.
She didn't recognize her at first.
Then she looked closer.
The girl had the same bone structure. Same eyes. Same walk.
But no pain.
No ghosts behind the smile.
Just… calculation.
"Lina Vale," she said, voice soft, perfect English. "It's an honor."
"Have we met?" Lina asked.
"No," Lirae said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "But they've been building me in your shadow."
[System Alert: Visual Match – 89% Facial Symmetry to Lina Vale]
[Subject: Lirae Han | Origin: Unknown | Affiliation: Flagged as Specter Prototype Candidate]
[AI Companion: She's not your reflection. She's your replacement.]
Lina's heart beat slow.
Too slow.
"You know what they say about shadows," she replied. "They only exist when there's light."
Lirae tilted her head. "Exactly. And I'm here to take it."
That night, Lina stood on the Guild rooftop. Alone. Cold wind cutting across her skin.
Her phone buzzed.
Caden: "There's someone there you shouldn't trust."
Lina: "Too late."
Caden: "Don't let them make a second you."
Lina: "They can't. I'm not programmable."
[System Update: Clone Initiative Confirmed – Specter is attempting to build a media figure with Lina's template]
[Urgent Objective Added: Sabotage the Clone Rise | Delay System Imitation]
System Log: Lina Vale
Guild Status: Rising Power
Clone Prototype Identified: Lirae Han
Threat Level: Severe
AI Companion Sync: 99%
Emotional Condition: Focused, Wary
Trait Evolution (Pending): Singularity – Cannot Be Replaced
End of Chapter 39